By Jeremy Gonzalez, Sports Editor
Carson, Calif.
Led by James Connor’s two touchdowns and Devin Bush’s two turnovers, the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-4) were able to hold off the Los Angeles Chargers 24-17 on Sunday night.
Connor accounted for 119 scrimmage yards (41 rushing, 78 receiving) and had his first game with both a rushing and receiving touchdown. Steelers quarterback Devlin Hodges was thrust into the starting spot after Mason Rudolph suffered a concussion last week against Baltimore, and Hodges played like an experienced veteran.
He completed 15 of 20 passes for 132 yards and managed the offense and game clock very well. He also benefited from a running game that helped control the clock. Benny Snell led the Steelers rushing attack with 75 yards on 17 carries.
Rookie linebacker Devin Bush was all over the field for the Steelers, forcing two turnovers on the Chargers’ second and third drives. Bush scored his first career touchdown when he scooped up a backward pass from Phillip Rivers that Melvin Gordon was not able to handle and returned it nine yards to give the Steelers a 7-0 lead.
Bush got his second turnover just four plays later when a pass from Rivers was deflected by teammate Tyson Alualu and Bush’s awareness led him to intercept it, the turnover leading to Connor’s first touchdown. Bush, whose four fumble recoveries lead the league, has now been involved in six of the 14 turnovers the Steelers have forced.
SLOW START
The Chargers (2-4) were trailing 24-0 and finally put points on the board one minute into the fourth quarter when kicker Chase McLaughlin nailed a 38-yard field goal to put three points up. The Chargers offense finally kicked into high gear and scored two touchdowns to narrow the deficit to seven. Los Angeles attempted an onside kick with 1:38 left in regulation but Pittsburgh recovered. The Chargers forced the Steelers to punt and got the final possession with a chance to tie the game, but Rivers threw his second interception and the Steelers ran the clock out to win 24-17.
Rivers finished the night 26 of 44 for 300 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Tight end Hunter Henry, who missed the last four games with a knee injury, had eight receptions for 100 yards. The Chargers running game struggled again as Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler were held to 13 carries for 32 yards.
UP NEXT
Steelers: Pittsburgh has their its bye week during Week 7 before going back home to host the Miami Dolphins in a Monday night game on Oct. 28. The Dolphins are still winless at 0-5.
Chargers: Los Angeles will travel to the east coast to face the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. The Titans (2-4) are coming off a 16-0 loss to the Denver Broncos.
